ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 313 



CHAPTER II 



Division of Individual Good into Active and Passive. That of Passive Good 



into Conservative and Perfective. Good of the Commonwealth 



divided into General and Respective 



WE DIVIDE individual or self good into active and 

 passive. This difference of good is also found 

 impressed upon the nature of all things, but prin 

 cipally shows itself in two appetites of the creatures; viz. 

 1. That of self-preservation and defence; and, 2. That of 

 multiplying and propagating. The latter, which is active, 

 seems stronger and more worthy than the former, which is 

 passive; for throughout the universe the celestial nature 

 is the principal agent, and the terrestrial the patient; and 

 in the pleasures of animals that of generation is greater than 

 that of feeding; and the Scripture says, &quot;It is more blessed 

 to give than to receive.&quot; 1 And even in common life, no 

 man is so soft and effeminate, as not to prefer the performing 

 and perfecting of anything he had set his mind upon before 

 sensual pleasures. The pre-eminence of active good is also 

 highly exalted from the consideration of the state of man 

 kind, which is mortal and subject to fortune; for if per 

 petuity and certainty could be had in human pleasures, this 

 would greatly enhance them; but as the case now stands, 

 when we count it a happiness to die late, when we cannot 

 boast of to-morrow, when we know not what a day may 

 bring forth, no wonder if we earnestly endeavor after such 

 things as elude the injuries of time: and these can be no 

 other than our works. Accordingly it is said, &quot;Their works 

 follow them.&quot; 8 



Another considerable pre-eminence of active good is 

 given it, and supported by that inseparable affection of 



1 Acts Ap. xx. 35. 2 Apoc. xiv. 13. 



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